Teen Kicked Out Of School For Dyeing Hair 'Non-Natural Color'

A high school junior was sent home from school because her hair color was, as the principal declared, “not a natural color.”

Irondale, Missouri student Savannah Keesee said she spent March 10 home from school because the principal told her she in violation of the dress and grooming code. According to the school handbook, “Non-natural hair colors will not be permitted. For example, green, purple, blue, etc.”

Keesee said the principal approached her the day before about her appearance.

“He goes, your hair is really bright. I said, OK, he goes, you need to call your mom and have her come pick you up,” she said. “So I tried to go back today and he said I couldn’t stay because my hair was still the same color.”

The teen’s mother insisted that the hair dye was indeed a natural color. “I dyed it auburn, which is what was on the box. And auburn to me is natural, just like strawberry blonde or blonde, or black or brown,” Sheri Keesee said. “She just wanted it a little bit different. We had a bunch of snow days, and did some girl stuff and dyed her hair.”

Superintendent Stacy Stevens declined to comment specifically on Savannah’s situation, but said the grooming code has been in place for years.“We try to work with the students to be fair. We don’t want them out of school, we don’t typically have issues with this policy. I think our students and parents are accepting of it. It’s been in place a long time, and I think it’s a policy that works,” he said.

Sheri said she hopes that her daughter can return to school with her new hair color, and wishes that the principal would focus on more important issues than hair color.

“Instead of maybe picking up on the bullying, and kids who are actually causing trouble, its hair color.”